Saturday, October 24, 2015

Food for Thought documentary released today

If you like to learn more about the food industry and enjoy documentaries, you'll want to check out this new film from from award-winning director Susan Rockefeller today - on Food Day, Oct. 24. Read on for more on the documentary, which can be viewed online atFood Day and Food For Thought, Food For Life websites starting today.

NEW DOCUMENTARY FOOD FOR THOUGHT, FOOD FOR LIFE FROM AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR SUSAN ROCKEFELLER TO BE RELEASED NATIONWIDE ON FOOD DAY THIS OCTOBER 24, 2015

Newest Documentary From Filmmaker and Creative Conservationist Who is Using Short Films to Get More People Turned Onto Important Causes

FOOD DAY inspires Americans to change their diets and our food policies through more than 8,000 events nationwide

Screening at EatingWell.com Starting October 5 ahead of Nationwide Release; Screening at Farm2Fork Festival on October 25; Entire Film Available for Screening Online at Media Sites Upon Request

WASHINGTON, DC (Monday, June 22, 2015) – Every October 24, thousands of events all around the country bring Americans together to celebrate and enjoy real food and to push for improved food policies. This year Food Day is partnering with award-winning filmmaker, designer and philanthropist Susan Rockefeller to release her acclaimed new documentary Food For Thought, Food For Life for free online and in conjunction with thousands of events nationwide.

The mission of the 20-minute film – which was an official selection at the Short Film Corner at Cannes 2015 and at the 2015 Sarasota Film Festival and other top festivals – and its extensive nationwide outreach campaign is to start a conversation about the food system, bringing everyone to the table to address how we think about, produce, and choose what we eat, and to make lasting changes as individuals, communities, and for our earth as a whole.

“We are thrilled to partner with Susan Rockefeller on the online release of this remarkable film,” said Food Day campaign manager Lilia Smelkova. “By providing our partners at over 8,000 events nationwide with access to the film we can ensure Food Day will impact in even greater ways in 2015. This film is inspiring and will serve to energize those who will be participating in Food Day events across the country.”

“It’s an honor to partner with Food Day and to play a role in helping reach millions about the food issues that affect each one of us,” said Susan Rockefeller.

ABOUT THE FILM

We want our food fast, convenient and cheap, but at what cost? As farms have become supersized, our environment suffers and so does the quality of our food. Food for Thought, Food for Life, a new documentary from director Susan Rockefeller (HBO’s Christopher Award-winning documentary Making The Crooked Straight, Planet Green’s A Sea Change) explains the downsides of current agribusiness practices, and also introduces us to farmers, chefs, researchers, educators, and advocates who are providing solutions. The film is both poetic and practical; its powerful examination of the connections between our planet and our well-being is accompanied by specific strategies that protect both. With an eye towards a sustainable and abundant future, it offers inspiration for communities that are ready to make a difference.

Punctuated by the words of environmentalist Wendell Berry, earth-inspired artwork, and uplifting music, the film highlights organizations and people doing things right. From the forward-thinking practices of Chef Dan Barber and Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture to guerrilla gardener Ron Finley’s transformation of urban neighborhoods, the ways we can start a revolution are varied and exciting.

“I sought out to develop a film that educates people about the negative impact our current methods of agriculture have on the earth,” said Rockefeller, a creative conservationist and social entrepreneur. “In addition to providing vital information, the film gives viewers the necessary tools to make a difference in their own lives. It explores the connection between the planet and our health and suggests that strengthening that connection will only benefit our future.”

“In everything I do – from my previous documentary Mission of Mermaids to my jewelry collections – my goal is to start a conversation about the things I’m most passionate about and empower people to take small actions that produce big changes,” Rockefeller continued. “Conversation leads to collaboration, and together we can find local and global solutions that help the planet and ourselves. Food Day is the perfect partner in our work to bring attention to these vitally important issues.”

ABOUT SUSAN ROCKEFELLER

Susan Rockefeller is a principal of Protect What Is Precious, a company that creates documentaries and inspires fashion accessories to elevate awareness about protecting what is precious to her: family, art and nature. Susan’s jewelry and accessories can be found at London Jewelers, Bernie Robbins, Takashimaya and on the company’s website. Her films have explored a range of contemporary issues, often using both real life heroes and those of myths to confront issues such as ocean acidification and the future of ocean health, PTSD and the use of music to heal, the confluence of race, poverty and illness, global food sustainability. The films have aired on HBO, PBS, and the Discovery Channel. Susan sits on the boards of Oceana, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, We Are Family Foundation and is a member of Natural Resources Defense Council Global Leadership Council. She received her undergraduate degree from Hampshire College and her master’s degree from NYU.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Food For Thought, Food For Life is a production of Protect What Is Precious. Susan Rockefeller established the Protect What Is Precious brand in 2013 to make the world a more loving, peaceful and healthy place by protecting family, art and nature. Food For Thought, Food For Life produced in association with Louverture Films, the film production company co-founded by Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes. Rockefeller is a partner in the production company. The film features the music of Cloud Cult. This Minneapolis-based indie art rock group is led by Craig Minowa, who also heads up the environmentally-conscious Earthology Records.

ABOUT FOOD DAY

Food Day inspires Americans to change their diets and our food policies. Every October 24, thousands of events all around the country bring Americans together to celebrate and enjoy real food and to push for improved food policies. October 24 is a day to resolve to make changes in our own diets and to take action to solve food-related problems in our communities at the local, state, and national level. In 2015, Food Day will have a special focus on greener diets as a way to address both health and environmental issues.

In 2014, Food Day reached hundreds of thousands of Americans through 8,000+ events across all 50 states. The hashtag #FoodDay2014 was used in 10,800 tweets with the potential to be seen 50.6 million times. Hundreds of national and regional media outlets from coast to coast covered Food Day 2014.